NCHA News

His 229-point win aboard Dual Reyish in the 2019 NCHA Eastern National Championships on Thursday, marked Austin Shepard’s ninth Eastern Nationals Open championship win. The accomplishment stands as an Eastern Nationals record. In 2017, riding Deluxe Checks, he tied with his father, Sam Shepard, who was riding Twistful Thinking, owned by Austin and his wife, Stacy.

In addition to his win on Dual Reyish, Shepard also claimed the Open reserve championship with 223 points on Sir Long Legs, and scored 219 points on CR Dualin to tie for third with Guys Woods and Ichi Sangria. Shepard and Sir Long Legs had won the $25,000 Novice championship on Tuesday, with 225 points.

With his 229-point score in the Eastern Nationals, Dual Reyish $357,051, owned by Billy Wolf, Whitesboro, Tex., topped his personal record of 228 points, earned as champion of the 2017 NCHA Futurity. The Hottish-sired colt and Shepard also won the 2018 Breeders Invitational, and the AQHA Congress Derby.

Sir Long Legs $338,569, owned by Lew Hall, Lakeland, Fla., and sired by High Brow Cat, was shown by Shepard as reserve champion of the 2016 NCHA Futurity and champion of the 2017 NCHA Derby.

CR Dualin Tuff $68,883, sired by Woody Be Tuff, and owned and bred by Center Ranch, was a finalist with Shepard in the 2017 NCHA Futurity, and most recently placed fourth in the Ike Hamilton Classic, as well as placing in the finals of the Eastern Nationals $25,000 and $5,000 Novice divisions.

Ichi Sangria $162,203, sired by Cat Ichi, and owned and bred by EE Ranches, was a finalist with Guy Woods in the 2013 NCHA Futurity, and placed fourth in the 2014 NCHA Derby. This was her fourth time to place among the Top Ten Eastern Nationals Open finalists, including last year, when she placed fourth. In 2016, she won both the $15,000 and the $5,000 Novice championships, and she also claimed the $5,000 Novice title in 2015 and 2017.

Guy Woods also showed 9-year-old Ichi La Roo $121,283, by Cat Ichi, and owned by EE Ranches, as a finalist in Thursday’s Open Finals.

Austin Shepard’s NCHA National Championship Open wins

• 2019 – Dual Reyish $357,051 , by Hottish; owned by Billy Wolf
• 2018 – MK Rey Girl $76,866, by Dual Rey; owned by Austin & Stacy Shepard
• 2017 – Deluxe Checks $283,156, by Im Countin Checks; owned by Amanda & Rhein Standish
• 2015 – Cat Sheree $253,379, by High Brow CD; owned by Plantation Farms
• 2011 – Playin At The Mall $292,399,  by Playdox; owned by Buster Quirk
• 2006 – Smart Pistolero $22,326, by Playgun; owned by Josh Hamilton
• 2005 – Widows Intentions $352,665, by Widows Freckles; owned by Jim Langdale
• 2003 – Uno Dos Seventyseven$171,388, by Peppy San Badger; owned by Jim Johnson
• 2002 – Widows Freckles $113,522, by Freckles Playboy; owned by Robert & Debbie Middleton